Prospect Info: 2024 7th OA : Carter Yakemchuk (RHD)

Sens in Process

Registered User
Oct 1, 2012
703
785
I have watched a lot of top CHL defensemen over the last couple of years. They all have their moments where they can look absolutley horrible, plagued by catastrophic blunders and misreads. This even goes for supposed defensive stalwarts. The CHL is a game of mistakes. And by that, I don't mean a slim margin that separates wining and losing. I mean there are a ton of mistakes

I didn't love Yakemchuk's game against Medicine Hat on Wednesday. He didn't have strongest game offensively or defensively. But while playing against Gavin Mckenna, who is fast and dynamic as they come and Hunter St. Martin, an overlooked player with an incredible size/speed combo, he more than held his own. In short, MH is a very fast team - perhaps one of the fastest in the WHL.

The -2 from the game is a bit misleading, because both goals were the result of wicked turnovers by his teammates. On one play, a neutral zone turnover leads Calgary to be caught flat footed, but Yakemchuk still manages to push Mckenna below the goal line. Mckenna's pass deflects off Yakemchuk skate into the net. On the second goal, Yakemchuk makes a beautiful defensive play on St. Martin off the rush. Calgary turns over the puck and Yakemchuk gets caught as the defender in a 2 on 1, He rightfully takes away the pass, but the shooter scores: Western Hockey League

I hear all the complaining by Sens fans how Hamonic is dragging down Sanderson's play, pointing to the underlying numbers. Magnify this by about four-fold for Yakemchuk. Yakemchuk's partner is a just turned 17year old pint sized defenseman who has limited offense. He is algorithmically programed in the offensive zone to rim the puck around the boards or take a low percentage shot. It was so bad in one game the announcers were wondering why he wasn't electing to pass the puck to his 30 goal defensive partner.

In my opinion, I think Yakemchuk has taken major strides in his defensive game this season. His length, anticipation, improved skating and his willing to box out and protect the net will make him a good defender at the next level. Despite what a lot people said, I really can't stress enough how well he reads the game. We saw that a bit in the NHL pre-season, but he has an "it" factor, where the puck follows him around.
 

Dionysus

Registered User
Oct 7, 2007
5,754
3,203
Around the bend
I have watched a lot of top CHL defensemen over the last couple of years. They all have their moments where they can look absolutley horrible, plagued by catastrophic blunders and misreads. This even goes for supposed defensive stalwarts. The CHL is a game of mistakes. And by that, I don't mean a slim margin that separates wining and losing. I mean there are a ton of mistakes

I didn't love Yakemchuk's game against Medicine Hat on Wednesday. He didn't have strongest game offensively or defensively. But while playing against Gavin Mckenna, who is fast and dynamic as they come and Hunter St. Martin, an overlooked player with an incredible size/speed combo, he more than held his own. In short, MH is a very fast team - perhaps one of the fastest in the WHL.

The -2 from the game is a bit misleading, because both goals were the result of wicked turnovers by his teammates. On one play, a neutral zone turnover leads Calgary to be caught flat footed, but Yakemchuk still manages to push Mckenna below the goal line. Mckenna's pass deflects off Yakemchuk skate into the net. On the second goal, Yakemchuk makes a beautiful defensive play on St. Martin off the rush. Calgary turns over the puck and Yakemchuk gets caught as the defender in a 2 on 1, He rightfully takes away the pass, but the shooter scores: Western Hockey League

I hear all the complaining by Sens fans how Hamonic is dragging down Sanderson's play, pointing to the underlying numbers. Magnify this by about four-fold for Yakemchuk. Yakemchuk's partner is a just turned 17year old pint sized defenseman who has limited offense. He is algorithmically programed in the offensive zone to rim the puck around the boards or take a low percentage shot. It was so bad in one game the announcers were wondering why he wasn't electing to pass the puck to his 30 goal defensive partner.

In my opinion, I think Yakemchuk has taken major strides in his defensive game this season. His length, anticipation, improved skating and his willing to box out and protect the net will make him a good defender at the next level. Despite what a lot people said, I really can't stress enough how well he reads the game. We saw that a bit in the NHL pre-season, but he has an "it" factor, where the puck follows him around.

Appreciate your insight in following Calgary Hitmen games!

Interested to see how Yak progresses this season.
 

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